Itinerary Details
1 Arrive Muscat, Oman
Overlooking the Gulf, the Omani capital’s ancient sites, colonial fortresses, modern high-rise towers and colorful souks are huddled between mountains carved from the earth’s mantle and the Arabian sea. The skyline is pierced by neat rows of date palms and the minarets of Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, while some of the best beaches and most elegant resorts in Oman can be found on this glittering coastline.
Meals:
2 Muscat | Into The Midst Of Local Life
This city offers visitors a unique opportunity to witness a modern commercial center existing in harmony with its traditional culture. Graced with a natural harbor, Muscat lies in a volcanic caldera, and its man-made highlights include the Bait Al Zubair Museum, where you may stroll fascinating exhibits that trace Oman’s history and development. Drive along the waterfront Corniche visiting the fish market and the colorful Muttrah Souq and make a photo stop at the magnificent Al Alam Palace — the official palace of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos — which is flanked by the 16th-century Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali.
Meals:
3 Jabal Akhdar Mountains | Peaks, Gorges & Wadis
Rising to heights of 10,000 feet, the Jebel Akhdar Mountains are rugged and rocky, with craggy, pink-ochre peaks punctuated by green terraces of fruit orchards and date plantations, watered by mountain springs. Tucked away here and there are traditional, lost-in-time villages of stone and mud houses, which overlook the spectacular peaks, gorges and wadis, as you discover alongside your expert guide.
Meals:
4 Jabal Akhdar Mountains | Timeless Mountain Villages
Explore the Jebel Akhdar range and surrounding villages of Bilad Sayt, accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide.
Meals:
5 Nizwa | Medieval Enclave
In nearby Nizwa, once Oman’s capital in medieval times, climb the tower at 17th-century Nizwa Fort for amazing views. Return to Muscat and fly to Salalah, where you settle into your superb resort hotel.
Meals:
6 Salalah | Discover Legendary Ubar
Head outside the city for an overnight camping trip in the Empty Quarter (Rub al Khali). Start by driving into Wadi Dawka (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), also known as the Frankincense Wadi, because it has the largest collection of naturally grown frankincense trees in the region, the resin of which was as precious as gold in antiquity. With a Bedouin guide, view the frankincense trees and the bizarre canyons surrounding them. Then venture to the town of Thumrait, which was a famous Bedouin settlement, and continue to the Lost City of Ubar (another UNESCO World Heritage Site). The legendary ancient kingdom of Ubar was said to have existed in the vast and forbidding Rub al Khali Desert, appropriately known as the Empty Quarter, from which it was excavated in 1982. Discover it alongside your expert guide who affords you a glimpse into the work carried out by a team of explorers, led by Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who freed this amazing site from the timeless sands. Later, settle into your luxurious desert camp.
Meals:
7 Empty Quarters | Desert Beauty All Around
Begin your day as the sun rises, revealing spectacular views over the incredible surrounding landscape. Leave the campsite to explore the stark Rub al Khali desert, visiting Al Hashman village for an up close visit with its renowned black camels, a variety found nowhere else. Afterward, proceed to your hotel, where the rest of your day is free.
Meals:
8 Depart Salahah
Meals:
